Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a press conference on December 11, 2013.

Hong Lei started the press conference with the following announcement:

At the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy will pay an official visit to China from December 14 to 16.

Q: Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida reportedly said yesterday that Japan will not accept the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) established by China which constitutes a unilateral change to the status quo, nor will Japan recognize it as a prerequisite to dialogue. What is China's comment?

A: It is China's legitimate right to establish the East China Sea ADIZ which complies with the international laws and conventions. It is utterly unjustifiable for Japan to point the finger at China based on its erroneous position on the Diaoyu islands issue. The one who stirs up troubles and changes the status quo on the Diaoyu islands and in the East China Sea is no other than Japan. China will implement effective management over its East China Sea ADIZ in accordance with relevant international laws and common practices. Besides, we are ready to communicate with relevant countries on technical issues in the principle of equality and mutual respect so as to jointly maintain flight security and order in the relevant airspace. We urge the Japanese side to correct its attitude, stop pestering and provoking, and create conditions for the management of disputes through dialogue.

Q: An expert-panel appointed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe adopted a government-drafted "national security strategy" and a guideline for the "new defense program", claiming that Japan would "respond calmly and resolutely to the rapid expansion and step-up of China's maritime and air activities", and that Japan should build up military strength in southwestern Japan as a response to the Diaoyu islands issue. What is China's comment?

A: China firmly adheres to the path of peaceful development and upholds a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. The normal and legitimate build-up of China's national defense capacity does not pose threat to any country. China is committed to its long-standing view that territorial and maritime disputes should be resolved through dialogue and consultation. Meanwhile, by no means is any country allowed to infringe upon China's territorial sovereignty.

China is following closely Japan's security strategy and policy moves. Japan makes irresponsible accusation of China's normal maritime and air activities and hypes up "China threat" since it has ulterior political motives. We urge Japan to take the security concerns of its Asian neighbors seriously, follow the trend of the times, pursue the path of peaceful development and make due efforts to improve China-Japan relationship and uphold regional peace and stability.

Q: The Ukrainian security forces reportedly cleared up Kiev's Independence Square held by protesters. What is China's comment?

A: China hopes that relevant parties of Ukraine can resolve differences through dialogue and consultation and jointly uphold social unity, stability and order. The international community should play a constructive role in this process.

Q: The Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will visit China in the coming days. Please brief us on that.

A: At China's invitation, the UNHRC Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice will visit China from December 12 to 19. Chinese government officials, experts and scholars on diplomacy, development of women, judicial affairs, health, education and social security will have in-depth exchange of views with the working group on promoting gender equality, ensuring women's rights and interests and other issues. The working group will also visit Shanghai and Yunnan.

China attaches importance to its cooperation with the UN human rights mechanism. We hope that this visit will further strengthen exchanges, understanding, and cooperation between the two sides.

Q: The Third Round of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Dialogue concluded in Kabul yesterday. The three parties are on the same page on the goals and means of cooperation. Please brief us on the dialogue and its outcomes. What specific agreements have they reached on fighting the "three evil forces" and terrorism?

A: On December 9 and 10, the Third Round of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Dialogue was held in Kabul. During the dialogue, the three parties had in-depth exchange of views on Afghan and regional issues and trilateral practical cooperation.

The three parties agree to maintain cooperation in safeguarding security in Afghanistan and this region. China and Pakistan reaffirm their support to the "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned" reconciliation process and the efforts by the Afghanistan High Peace Council in this process.

The three parties agree to strengthen cooperation in fields such as counterterrorism, anti-narcotics, and people-to-people exchanges. Afghanistan and Pakistan welcome China's offer to host again the joint parliamentary delegation and the joint media delegation from the two countries in 2014.

The three parties agree to enhance regional cooperation and support the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's role in maintaining regional peace and stability. Afghanistan and Pakistan welcome and speak highly of China's efforts in hosting the 4th Foreign Ministers' Conference of the Istanbul Process.

The China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Dialogue is a helpful practice for the three countries to respond to the fast-changing regional situation and increase trilateral communication and cooperation. China attaches importance to the dialogue and will hold the next round in China next year. We stand ready to work with Afghanistan and Pakistan for further progress in the trilateral dialogue.